New-York tribune., 1887-04-15
Another friend OF Mr. Carnegie and of Miss Whitfield
denied the story entirely
HEARTY CHEERS FOR WITHIN AN.
HE SPEAKS ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

MANY wELL-KNOwN WRITERS PREsENr-A RECEP'
TION IN THE EVENING.
at is the most magnificent audience have ever
secn said Major Pond his spectacles cleaned over
the aditorum Of the Madison Square Theatre yester-
day afternoon; and there isn't single deadhead IN
the whole house." Apart from the merely practical
idea OF the experienced Major, tho gathering assem-
bled to hear Walt Whitman lecture was In every way
a notable one. Many well-kn authors OF New-Iork
were there besides other prominent literary people
II was by a mere coincidence that james Russell
Lowell and Jchnay met In the vestibuc OF the theatre
and exchanged warm greetings. W. ID. Howoils was
taking the tokes at the entrance ana was kept too
busy shake hands with all his trieuds Mrs. Frances
HOdgson Burnett there, Miss May Mapes Dodge,
Mr. and Mrs. Law renee Hutton, Miss Jeanette Glider,
Richard Watson Glider. Mr. and Mrs Roswell smith,
b. b. Carpenter, Charles Eliot Norton T. G. Stedman,
Moncure D. Conway, John Burroughs. Edward Eggles-
ton and many others whose are almost equally
familiar.
Tho, stage represented o handsome drawing room,
and in this scenc suggestive OF redundance Oh luxury
and refinement, the venerable poet came forward anu
made his bow. In the hearty applause which greeted
him there was ervor OF affection that called the color
to his cheek and the moisture to his eyes While II
continued his hand nervously pushed back the long
white hair from his face and wandered aimessy down
the snowy beard which sweeps his broad chest 10 a
appearance he was still bale and vigorous. but his
voice. some thought. was not quite hrm That Mignt
well oe in his first sentences, and he was evidently
much moved by the warmth OF his reception.
e said that this was the twenty-secOnd anniversary
of the assassination OF Abraham Lincoln, and he had
made it rule upOn this anniversary to invite lew
friends to JON in loving remem brance OF the day.
This was all his prologue. and with voice oil inc1eas
ing ssadncss and cearness he went on with the lect
ure on the martyred President which has been pub
lshed. He said that the afternoon when the news
came to him of Lncolns assassination he was stand
ing at his ~ndOw gazing meditatively uion the haca
blooming outside. And now. whenever he saw or
smelt liiacs it brought back to him LincolI's sad
death I the pause which followed little giri aoout
six years of age stepped upon the stage and banded
him a basket OF lilacs Tho poet kissed the little
maiden and the ladies smiled through then tears ana
applauded heartily The godenhaired little girl with
her prim white baby cap was the granddaughter oil
Mr.. Stedman. .
At the conclusion of his lecturs Mr. Whitman rected
his poem on Lincoln. called Ny Captain" rnd wa:
again loudly applauaed. Then the curtain tell and
there was n rush OF ladies to meet him behind the
scenes II altogether a ladies' reception. some
shook hands with him, many OF tho more enthusiastic
kissed him, and all or most OF them talked AZ once
Whom they left the stage they left number OF hand
bouquets be added to those already SENT prominent
among which was laurel wreath sent by Wilson
Barrett.
Westminster Hotel w. g. Schenk. the proprietor,
gave the use his parlors Tor tho evening They
are the that were occupied by Charles Dickens
when he was in New-fork on his last visit to tho
United States. The whitehared poet rcclined IN an
easy char of dark crimson in the centre OF one
of the parlors to recey his guests. be was feeling
somewhat exhausted after his lecture and the excite
Inent OF the day Among the frst to enter was John
Burroughs and shortly after James Russell Low ell
came in. Robert Collyer was greeted warmly by Mr
Whitman Among other callers were Mr. aud Mrs.
r. A. Glider, Colonel John Hay. Mrs. ST. Gaudens,
Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer,, Joseph u. Glider.
Robert u. johnson. George w. Sheldon, George w.
". Houghton, CLandos Fulton, Joel Benton and Mrs.
f. &, Stedmau.